Biglaw

Departure Memo of the Day: 'Here's To The Crazy Ones'

That's a pretty great start to a departure memo, right? Let's just say that this leading law firm got zapped -- by a laser....

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PAUL WEISS RIFKIND WHARTON & GARRISON — BIO OF DAVID J. TAYAR

(Click to enlarge.)

PAUL WEISS RIFKIND WHARTON & GARRISON — DEPARTURE MEMO OF DAVID TAYAR

Here’s to the crazy ones…

The misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers.
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules.
You can quote them,
disagree with them,
glorify or vilify them.
But the only thing you can’t do
is ignore them
because they change things.
They push the human race forward,
and while some may see them
as the crazy ones,
we see genius.
Because the ones who are crazy enough
to think that they can change the world,
are the ones who do.

– Steve Jobs for Apple

Sponsored

Peace out, guys, or, as every other departure memo goes: “Today is my last day at Paul, Weiss.”

There’s a big stereotype about lawyers, and an even bigger one about Jewish lawyers. As many of my co-workers have said, I am the poster boy for these stereotypes. Me with a credit agreement, I was told, is like a pit-bull with a bone. The analogy isn’t perfect (they never are), but you get the bloody picture (pun intended).

After nearly 10 years of going to work in squares’ clothes I can now reveal to everyone that those “grown up” clothes made me unhappy in the sartorial sense. I’m much more comfortable being the d00d in Dquared2 running shoes, Diesel jeans, and ripped Michael Bastian t-shirts. I could only stifle my creative clothing choices for so long; today I sent all my button-downs and slacks to Good Will. So long PW nerd clothes! My new job has no dress code; every day is casual Friday.

It’s common knowledge around here that in 2005 I founded Assara Laser with Will Shuman, a former Paul, Weiss associate. Assara Laser is in expansion mode and potential franchisees have been knocking on our doors with increasing frequency. I’ll be rejoining the company on the cusp of a powerful upswing (more on that later). From bank financing to a soon-to-be laser hair removal giant operating across the US . . . a logical transition, no?

Before I go, I’d like to give special thanks to my role model, mentor and ultimate coach – Dale Sarro. He is more importantly, a great friend who saw past my jeans and mohawk, and encouraged me at every turn. When others balked at my fast-talking-high-energy style and penchant for wild gesticulations, Dale just smiled knowingly. Between negotiating credit agreements and midnight conference calls, Dale turned me on to Wyoming and all things Jackson Hole. I have him to thank for many trips I’ve taken to Snake River and the Grand Tetons. Walk into his rustically furnished office and you’ll get the picture; he’s a little bit country. Dale is a fountain of knowledge, if you’re given the opportunity to work with him, jump on it.

Sponsored

Another partner that cheered me on was the former head of the corporate department, Doug Cifu. His remark in my annual review: “David was the best associate I have ever worked with” was almost as appreciated as the bottles of Grey Goose he left on my doorstep after we closed three consecutive GA deals. Although Cifu’s comment didn’t help my pursuit of humility, it buoyed me, and when he left Paul, Weiss, he was sorely missed by me (and my ego).

My last shout-out goes to Carl Reisner. Rewind to 2009. The owners of G.T.R. Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd., the largest ship builder in the world, came to me for help on several matters. As I had done on several other occasions with potential new clients, I brought the deal to Carl. Immediately, Carl asked me to set up an introductory meet and greet with the president of GTR. In that meeting, GTR informed us that, among other delivery items, they wanted a memo relating to one of their joint ventures. But here’s the kicker: despite being under water, Carl personally drafted the 15-page memo. Associate brings in the client and partner does the work. Quaere. Carl must have known that delegating the memo would be a deterrent to me bringing in more clients. And he was probably right – everyone wants to be a rainmaker, no one wants to do the grunt work. Carl didn’t cut me out entirely; he sent me the memo “for review.” He didn’t need my comments (obviously), but I think it was his way of saying “thanks, d00d.” Anton Chekhov once said: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.” Carl personifies this.

Let me stop the ink with some info on what happens from here on in. Tomorrow I return to Assara Laser as its President and General Counsel. Assara Laser is the go-to place in Manhattan for laser hair removal, laser spider vein removal, laser facials, and microdermabrasion. Many Paul, Weiss employees are already long-time clients of ours, but to thank the Paul, Weiss community at large, I have personally authorized a 50% discount on any single treatment or package of treatments to the first 25 Paul, Weiss partners, associates, and support staff who call 212.956.2691, and mention code: “PW 50.” This promo code is active as of today. Learn more about us at www.assaralaser.com. I can always be reached at dtayar@assaralaser.com, and will be (most of the time) at our flagship Fifth Avenue location –

Assara Laser
23 West 45th Street, Second Floor
New York, NY 10036
212.956.2691

Oh, just one last thing. The late and great Steve Jobs reminded us that good artists borrow, great artists steal. So let me end with a stolen phrase: “If one million angels sang a chorus of praise from the peaks of the Himalayas, it might just begin to match the gratitude that I have for you all.”

Peace out.

Here’s To The Crazy One [TechCrunch]

Earlier: Departure Memo of the Day: Leaving Is Its Own Reward
Prior ATL coverage of departure memos

Steve Jobs [Amazon (affiliate link)]

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